Wearable resistance exercise apparatus and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A wearable resistance exercise apparatus has at least one pulley. A cable is coupled to the at least one pulley. At least one handle is located at the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped by a user. A wearable support member is provided, wherein the at least one pulley is located on the wearable support member. At least one exercise accessory is coupled to the wearable support member.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to resistance exercise equipment and,more particular, to a wearable resistance exercise apparatus thatemploys a resistance pulley system and that can be used to performresistance exercises when in position on a wearer.

Resistance exercise equipment is a popular tool used for conditioning,strength training, muscle building, and the like. Various types ofresistance exercise equipment are known, such as free weights, exercisemachines, and resistance exercise bands or tubing. Various limitationsexist with the prior art exercise devices. For example, many types ofexercise equipment, such as free weights and most exercise machines, arenot portable. With respect to exercise bands and tubing, they may needto be attached to a stationary object, such as a closed door or a heavypiece of furniture. This becomes a problem when, for example, the userwishes to perform resistance exercises in a location where suchstationary objects are not readily found, such as outdoors. For theprior art devices that do not need to be attached to stationary objects,such as other types of bands or tubing, such prior art systems typicallyprovide only one level of resistance. This is a disadvantage for a userwho wishes to increase or decrease the level of resistance for theuser's resistance exercises. For such users, it becomes necessary toacquire more than one set of resistance exercise bands or tubing.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method thatovercomes the above problems. The apparatus and method would provide forresistance exercise equipment that is portable, that may be used on itsown without the need to employ other types of equipment, and that allowsfor adjustable resistance levels.

SUMMARY

A wearable resistance exercise apparatus has at least one pulley. Acable is coupled to the at least one pulley. At least one handle islocated at the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped by a user. Awearable support member is provided, wherein the at least one pulley islocated on the wearable support member. At least one exercise accessoryis coupled to the wearable support member

The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently invarious embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet otherembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a wearable resistance exercise apparatus,consistent with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a back view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is front view of a pulley device, consistent with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front, perspective, mirror image view of the pulley deviceof FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a tension adjusting device,consistent with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the pulley device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the pulley device of FIG. 4, with a portionthereof being shown in phantom;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the pulley device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a magnified view of another embodiment of the tensionadjusting device;

FIG. 10 is a front view of another embodiment of the wearable resistanceexercise apparatus having magnified view of different attachments;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the wearable resistance exerciseapparatus having the pivot board shown in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the wearable resistance exerciseapparatus having a pivot board, the pivot board being used for anotherexercise;

FIG. 11C is a front view of the picot board used in FIG. 11A-11B;

FIG. 11A is a side view of the wearable resistance exercise apparatushaving the swing seat as shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 11B is a rear view of the wearable resistance exercise apparatushaving the swing seat of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12A is a front view of another embodiment of the wearableresistance exercise apparatus; and

FIG. 12B is a rear view of the wearable resistance exercise apparatus ofFIG. 12A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a wearable resistanceexercise apparatus 10 consistent with an embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. In this embodiment, the exercise apparatus includesthe following main components: two pulley devices 20, cables 22 whichare coupled to the pulley devices 20, handles 24 which are coupled tothe ends of the cables 22, and a wearable support member 12, to whichthe pulley devices 20 are attached. In this embodiment, the exerciseapparatus 10 further includes tension adjusting devices 30, which arecoupled to the front of the wearable support member 12. Also in thisembodiment, the wearable support member 12 includes front closures 14.

In this embodiment, the wearable support member 12 is a vest. However,other forms of wearable support members, such as jackets, jumpsuits, orthe like may be used. Preferably, the wearable support member 12 iscomposed of a heavy duty material, so that use of the pulley devices 20,as herein described, do not cause the wearable support member 12 tostretch, sag or tear. Preferably, the wearable support member 12 hasfront closures 14, so that it may be remain securely in position on awearer during use of the exercise apparatus 10. It may be desired to useside or back closures in addition to or instead of the front closures14.

In one embodiment, the handles 24 are attached to the cables 22 withfasteners, such as a snap hooks or carabineers. It may be desired to usehollow handles, which may be slipped over the cables 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 and FIGS. 6-8, an embodiment of a pulleydevice 20, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention isshown. In this embodiment, the pulley device 20 includes a backplate 26having a plurality of openings (not shown) through which couplingmembers 28, such as bolts, may be inserted in order to couple the pulleydevice 20 to the wearable support member 12 (as best seen in FIG. 2).Preferably, the backplate 26 is composed of a rigid material, such asmetal, so that it is capable of supporting the weight of the pulleydevice 20. A tension cable 32 extends from the pulley device 20 to atension adjusting device 30 (as best seen in FIG. 1).

In this embodiment, the tension adjusting devices 30 are positioned onthe front of the wearable support member 12. In this way, they arewithin easy reach of a wearer of the exercise apparatus 10, who canadjust tension without needing to remove the wearable support member 12by rotating the tension adjusting devices 30. However, it may be desiredto position the tension devices 30 elsewhere, such as on the back orsides of the wearable support member 12.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the structure of an embodiment of a portion ofan exercise apparatus 10 is shown, with particular attention to thetension adjustment feature. A worm screw 34 is provided, with the wormscrew 34 being rotatable by a turning of its corresponding tensionadjusting device 30 (not shown), with the rotation being communicatedthrough tension cable 32 (not shown). Rotation of the worm screw 34alters the load on load spring 36. Where it is desired to increaseresistance, the tension adjusting device 30 should be turned in thedirection that will cause increased load on the load spring 36. Todecrease resistance, rotation should occur in the opposite direction.

An increase in load on the load spring 36 causes anterior movement of aclutch plate 38, which provides increased tension on the correspondingpulley device 20. This will create increased resistance for the user. Adecrease in load on the load spring 36 causes posterior movement of aclutch plate 38, which provides decreased tension on the correspondingpulley device 20. This will create decreased resistance for the user.

Referring now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the pulley device 20′ isshown. In this embodiment, the pulley device 20′ is removable and may beattached to different areas of the wearable support member 12. As shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, the wearable support member 12 may have one or moreattachment loops 40. The attachment loops may be formed on differentareas of the wearable support member 12.

The pulley device 20′ has a “U” shape frame 42. A channel 44 is formedin the “U” shaped frame 42. The wheel and axle unit 46 is positioned inthe channel 44 with the axle portion secured in the “U” shaped frame 42.A hinge mechanism 48 is kingly coupled to the “U” shaped frame 42. Thehinge mechanism 48 allows the pulley device 20′ to be removably attachedto different areas of the wearable support member 12.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the exercise apparatus 10 may have a pluralityof attachment devices. As shown in FIG. 10, the exercise apparatus 10may have an exercise computer 50, an exercise board 56, one or morepockets 78, heating and or cooling elements 80, a massage device 82and/or a swing seat 66.

The exercise computer 50 may be built into the wearable support member12. Alternatively, the exercise computer 50 may be removably attached tothe wearable support member 12. The exercise computer 50 is anelectronic device that will provide feedback on your exercise routinesuch as: length of exercise time; calories burned; heart rate; tensionon the pulley device 20/20′; time of day; store digital recordings suchas music, exercise instructions, etc. and the like. The above listing isgiven as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner.

If the exercise computer 50 is used to measure heart rate, the wearablesupport member 12 may have a built in heart rate strap 52. The heartrate strap 52 may be used to measure the wearer's heart rate and totransmit this information to the exercise computer 50.

If the exercise computer 50 is used to store digital recordings such asmusic, exercise instructions, etc., the wearable support member 12 mayhave built in headphones 54. The built in head phones 54 may be used toallow the wearer of the wearable support member 12 to listen to thedigital recordings.

The exercise computer 50 may also be stored in one or more pockets 78formed on the wearable support member 12. The pockets 78 may further beused o store other items such as an MP3 player, food, keys, and thelike.

The wearable support member 12 may further have heating and or coolingelements 80 and or a massage device 82 formed therein. The heating andcooling elements 80 may be sued based on the weather conditions to keepthe user at an optimal temperature during a workout. The massage device82 may be used to relax the muscles after a workout.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11C, the exercise apparatus 10 may have anexercise board 56. The exercise board 56 may be coupled to the pulleydevice 20/20′ to allow the user of the exercise apparatus 10 to doadditional exercises. In accordance with one embodiment, the exerciseboard 56 is formed of a board member 56A. The board member 56A may beconfigured to be slightly curved in nature. A middle section 60 of theboard member 56A may have a wider width than the end sections 58 of theboard member 56A.

An opening 62 may be formed on each of the end sections 58. The openings62 may be used to allow the tension cable 22 and handles 24 to beinserted there through. By altering the position of the exercise board56, different exercises may be performed for different parts of thebody. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the exercise board 56 may bepositioned on the back of the user to perform shoulder presses. Further,as shown in FIG. 11B, the user may place the exercise board 56 on asurface such as a floor to allow a user to stand on the exercise board56 to perform calf raises and or leg extensions. The above are just afew examples of exercises that may be performed and should not be seenin a limiting manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 12A-12B, the wearable resistant exerciseapparatus 10 may have a swing seat 66. The swing seat 66 may be movablyattached to the wearable support member 12. The swing seat 66 may beused for shoulder exercises. In accordance with one embodiment, theswing seat may be comprised of a body member 68. The body member 68 maybe formed of a flexible material. A flexible material may allow the bodymember 68 to conform to the body of the user as shown in FIGS. 12A-12B.Located on each end section 70 of the body member 68 may be a strapmember 72. The strap member 72 may be coupled to an adjustment device74. The adjustment device 74 may be used to adjust a length of the strapmember 72. Located on one end of each strap member 72 may be anattachment mechanism 76. The attachment mechanism 76 may be used torotatably couple each strap member 72 to the wearable support member 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 13A-13C, another embodiment of the wearablesupport member 12′ is shown. Like in the previous embodiments, thewearable support member 12′ is a vest. However, other forms of wearablesupport members, such as jackets, jumpsuits, or the like may be used.Preferably, the wearable support member 12′ is composed of a heavy dutymaterial, so that use of the pulley devices 20/20′ do not cause thewearable support member 12′ to stretch, sag or tear. Preferably, thewearable support member 12′ has front closures 14′, so that it may beremain securely in position on a wearer during use of the exerciseapparatus 10. It may be desired to use side or back closures in additionto or instead of the front closures 14′. A top section of the wearablesupport member 12′ may be formed of a mesh material 12A.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. For example, it may be desired for the wearablesupport member 12 to include only one pulley device 20 to which twohandles 24 are attached. It may also be desired for the wearable supportmember 12 to include only one pulley device 20 to which only one handle24 is attached. In this latter embodiment, a user would be required toeither grasp the single handle 24 with both hands, or exercise using onehand at a time.

Statement of Operation

In order to position the wearable resistance exercise apparatus 10 sothat it may be used to perform resistance exercises, a user would putthe exercise apparatus 10 on the user's upper body, so that the pulleydevices 20 are positioned over the user's back and the tension adjustingdevices 30 are positioned over the user's chest. The user would set adesired level of resistance by manipulating the tension adjustingdevices 30. The user would then perform resistance exercises by grippingthe handles 24 and pulling them in a manner intended to stimulate musclebuilding.

For example, a user may wish to grasp the handles 24 and bring bothhands directly forward, in a rowing or bench press type of motion. Auser may wish to bring the handles 24 in an arc-type of motion untilthey contact each other in front of the user's body, in a fly type ofmotion. A user could extend both hands upward from a point beginningbehind the neck, in a triceps extension type of motion. Numerous othervariations are also possible.

A user may wish to utilize a single resistance setting for an exercisesession. Alternatively, a user may wish to perform multiple sets of aparticular exercise, and may wish to increase resistance between sets toperform a pyramid-style workout. The user may also wish to changeresistance between different exercises.

While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms ofvarious specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognizethat the embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced withmodifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable resistance exercise apparatuscomprising, in combination: at least one pulley; a cable coupled to theat least one pulley; at least one handle located at the end of the cableand adapted to be gripped by a user; a wearable support member, whereinthe at least one pulley is located on the wearable support member; andat least one exercise accessory coupled to the wearable support member.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one accessory is anexercise computer attached to the wearable support member.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one accessory is a heart ratestrap which transmits heart rate data to the exercise computer.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one accessory is a headphoneset attached to the exercise computer for listening to electronic filesstored in the exercise computer.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe at least one accessory is an exercise board.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one accessory is a swing seat removablyattached to the wearable support member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the at least one accessory is a swing seat removably attached tothe wearable support member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the atleast one accessory is at least one of a heating element or a coolingelement formed in the wearable support member.
 8. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the at least one accessory is a massage device formed in thewearable support member.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thewearable support member is a vest.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe vest has at least one closure located on an anterior portion of thevest.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tensionadjusting device coupled to the at least one pulley.
 12. The apparatusof claim 11, wherein the tension adjusting device is activatable from aposition that is remote from the pulley.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the at least one pulley is removably attached to the wearablesupport member.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least onepulley comprises: a “U” shaped frame; a wheel assembly attached withinthe “U” shaped frame; and a hinge mechanism kingly coupled to the “U”shaped frame 42 to allow the at least one pulley to be removablyattached to different areas of the wearable support member.
 15. Awearable resistance exercise apparatus comprising, in combination: atleast one pulley; a cable coupled to the at least one pulley; at leastone handle located at the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped bya user; a wearable support member, wherein the at least one pulley islocated on the wearable support member; and at least one exerciseaccessory coupled to the wearable support member, wherein the at leastone accessory is at least one of an exercise computer attached to thewearable support member, a heart rate strap which transmits heart ratedata to the exercise computer, an exercise board removably attached tothe wearable support member, or a swing seat removably attached to thewearable support member.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the atleast one accessory is a headphone set attached to the exercise computerfor listening to electronic files stored in the exercise computer. 17.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one accessory is atleast one of a heating element or a cooling element formed in thewearable support member.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the atleast one accessory is a massage device formed in the wearable supportmember.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a tensionadjusting device coupled to the at least one pulley.
 20. The apparatusof claim 15, wherein the at least one pulley is removably attached tothe wearable support member.